systematic review
Review of Efforts to Integrate National CHW Programs Into Health Systems
BMC Public Health. 2014 Sep 22;14(1):987. [Pubmed Abstract]
Integrating national community-based health worker programmes into health systems: a systematic review identifying lessons learned from low-and middle-income countries
Zulu JM, Kinsman J, Michelo C, Hurtig AK
Background
Despite the development of national community-based health worker (CBHW) programmes in several low- and middle-income countries, their integration into health systems has not been optimal. Studies have been conducted to investigate the factors influencing the integration processes, but systematic reviews to provide a more comprehensive understanding are lacking.
Methods
We conducted a systematic review of published research to understand factors that may influence the integration of national CBHW programmes into health systems in low- and middle-income countries. To be included in the study, CBHW programmes should have been developed by the government and have standardised training, supervision and…
A Systematic Review of CHWs and Mobile Technology
Community health workers and mobile technology: a systematic review of the literature
Braun R, Catalani C, Wimbush J, Israelski D
Introduction:
In low-resource settings, community health workers are frontline providers who shoulder the health service delivery burden. Increasingly, mobile technologies are developed, tested, and deployed with community health workers to facilitate tasks and improve outcomes. We reviewed the evidence for the use of mobile technology by community health workers to identify opportunities and challenges for strengthening health systems in resource-constrained settings.
Methods:
We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature from health, medical, social science, and engineering databases, using PRISMA guidelines. We identified a total of 25 unique full-text research articles on community health workers and their use of mobile technology for the delivery of health services.
Results:
Community health workers have used mobile tools…
Systematic Review of Peer Support and Diabetes
A recent systematic review by Dale and colleagues examined the evidence for peer support programs in adults living with diabetes. Twenty five studies met the inclusion criteria for the review including 14 randomized control trials. Peer support was associated with statistically significant improvements in glycaemic control, blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI/weight, physical activity, self-efficacy, depression and perceived social support. The authors concluded that peer support appears to benefit some adults living with diabetes, but the evidence is too limited and inconsistent to support firm recommendations.
Diabetics Medicine, July 2012 [Full abstract]
